Estonia
In Estonia, waste management follows the principles of the circular economy, with a strong emphasis on recycling and reducing landfill waste. The country has implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to ensure that producers take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products, particularly packaging, electrical waste, and end-of-life vehicles. Several producer responsibility organizations (PROs) operate in Estonia, coordinating the collection, sorting, and recycling of waste materials in line with EU directives. Municipalities are responsible for organizing household waste collection, while businesses must comply with regulations to manage their waste sustainably. Estonia has made significant progress in waste separation, with an extensive recycling infrastructure for paper, plastic, glass, and hazardous waste. However, challenges remain, particularly in reducing mixed municipal waste and increasing public participation in recycling efforts. The government continues to develop policies to improve waste sorting, increase recycling targets, and minimize landfill dependency, moving toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient waste management system.
Legal basis
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In Estonia, the Packaging Act, which took effect in June 2004, introduced recovery targets for all packaging placed on the market. It also established a deposit system for single-use packaging of beer, low-alcohol beverages, and soft drinks in glass, plastic, and metal containers starting January 1, 2005. Initially, the Act required a 50% recovery rate of total packaging by packaging operators in 2004, increasing to 60% by 2010 and aligning with all European Union (EU) norms by 2012.
The introduction of the Packaging Act led to the creation of compliance schemes in Estonia. The Estonian Recovery Organization (ERO), also known as Eesti Taaskasutusorganisatsioon (ETO), was founded in 2004 by producers, importers, and retailers. It operates as a non-profit organization, reinvesting all profits into collection and recovery processes to reduce overall costs. ERO assists packaging operators in fulfilling their obligations under the Packaging Act in an economically feasible, socially responsible, and environmentally sound manner.
The Packaging Act allows for multiple packaging recovery organizations (PROs), provided they meet licensing requirements set by the Estonian Ministry of the Environment. Manufacturers, packers, and importers can transfer their packaging recycling obligations to a non-governmental organization or handle their packaging recovery independently.
Recent amendments to the Packaging Act have introduced new measures for waste management and environmental protection. As of May 1, 2023, packaging undertakings must take measures to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic food packaging and drinking cups by 2026 compared to 2023 levels. Additionally, foreign packaging undertakings placing packaging on the Estonian market must appoint an authorized representative, a requirement that previously applied only to larger businesses.
Facts and figures
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Data 2024
| Population | 1.366 mil. |
| Number of companies | 1.177 |
|
The total amount of packaging put on the market |
46 721,563t |
|
Total Amount & Percentage of Recovery |
3 0566,12 t = 62,4% |
Packaging organisation/s in Estonia:
